Hong Kong Customs conducted a three-day operation codenamed "Green Shield" between August 14 and yesterday (August 16) to combat the sale of suspected infringing goods for children in various districts and on online platforms. A total of about 7 200 pieces of suspected infringing children's clothing, shoes, bags and other goods with a total estimated market value of about $190,000 were seized.

     During the summer holiday, Customs conducted patrols in various districts and online platforms. Suspected infringing children's products were sold at retail shops and fixed hawker pitches as well as on the Internet.

     After an in-depth investigation with the assistance of trademark and copyright owners, Customs officers raided 14 retail shops and fixed hawker pitches in North Point, Wan Chai, Yau Ma Tei, Fanling and Yuen Long for three days started from August 14. Enforcement action were also taken on online platforms. A total of about 7 200 pieces of suspected infringing children's clothing, shoes, bags and other suspected infringing goods with a total estimated market value of about $190,000 were seized.

     During the operation, three men and 15 women aged between 23 and 70 were arrested, including 11 shop owners, six salespersons and an online seller.

     Customs will continue to step up patrols and combat sales of infringing goods in various districts and on the Internet.

     Customs appeals to consumers to procure goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or the copyright owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt.

     Customs also reminds traders to be cautious and prudent in merchandising since the sale of infringing goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.

     Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Under the Copyright Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any infringing goods commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 per infringing copy and imprisonment for four years.
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     Members of the public may report any suspected infringing activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or the dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     Hong Kong Monetary Authority Exchange Fund Notes Tender Results:
 

     The Support and Consultation Centre for SMEs (SUCCESS) of the Trade and Industry Department will hold a seminar entitled "Tax Essentials for Investing in the Mainland" on September 4 (Tuesday).
 
     Given the close trade relations between Hong Kong and the Mainland, investing and doing business in the Mainland is common among Hong Kong enterprises. The development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will further strengthen the economic and trade flows between the two areas. Taxation is one of the most important parts in the process of investing and doing business. This seminar has invited the Director of BC Advisory Co Ltd and BC Training Co Ltd, Miss Bolivia Cheung, to explain common misunderstandings and facts about Mainland taxes, and also the proper ways of dealing with them.
 
     The seminar will be held at 2.30pm in the Lecture Theatre, G/F, Hong Kong Central Library, 66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay (MTR Tin Hau Station, Exit B). The seminar will be conducted in Cantonese. Admission is free.
 
     Those interested are invited to register with SUCCESS by September 3 (Monday). Please visit the SUCCESS website (www.success.tid.gov.hk/tid/eng/activity/activity.jsp) for details of the seminar and online registration. The registration form can also be downloaded from the SUCCESS website. Please send the completed registration form to SUCCESS by fax (2391 7375). Due to limited seating capacity, seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
     For enquiries, please call 3403 6111.

     Local renowned choreographer Wayson Poon will extend his highly acclaimed "Untitled" dance works by presenting the third production of the series in October.
 
     Like the previous works in the series, "Untitled III" is inspired by Chinese contemporary artist Liu Wentao's paintings, in which intertwining straight lines result in a tranquil geometric space. The choreography goes on to explore, from a Chinese philosophy perspective, the concept of dots, lines and planes through the dancers' physicality and extended dynamics. "Untitled III" reveals the shifting relationship between the states of existence and non-existence, and goes further to reflect the emotional and physical distance between individuals in order to attain inner peace. Performed by Lo King-san, Chan Lok-hin, Kerry Cheung, Ho Ming-yan and Wing Lai, the production will be staged at 8pm on October 12 and 13 (Friday and Saturday) at the Theatre of Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre.
 
     Wayson Poon graduated from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, majoring in contemporary dance. He has worked in Europe and Asia as a choreographer, performer, researcher and educator. Due to the impacts of various cultures, his works have combined Oriental spirit and Western methodology, deciphered the essence of the body from different aspects, studied the language of dance from several levels and brought out the harmonious chord of the vibration of many elements. His notable works include "Fleeing by Night", "Behind 3.0", "Untitled", "in,visible (cities);" and "Vortex". Recently, he received the 2016 Hong Kong Arts Development Award for Young Artist (Dance).
 
     "Dance On Series: Untitled III" is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Tickets priced at $120 and $160 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7323 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/dance/programs_616.html.

     Dance scholar Vanessa Cheung and five guest speakers will host seven contemporary dance lectures and workshops, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), from September to November.
 
     Choreography seems very simple but it is intriguing and often starts with the creator's tastes and inclinations. The lectures and workshops will guide the participants to explore and discuss the special qualities of modern dance and contemporary dance through specially designed interactive sessions and dance performance video clips. The programme will also attempt to decode dance from its primary source – creation – and participants will be guided to understand how a choreographer selects, trims and pares down ideas and turns them into visible movements for the audience to watch.
 
     The lectures and workshops will be conducted in Cantonese. Details are as follows:
 
September 19 (Wednesday), 7.30pm
Exhibition Gallery, Tsuen Wan Town Hall
Topic: "New Force in Motion" Series – "Lördagsgodis" by Gabbie Chan and "Moha" by Jennifer Mok
Guest speakers: Gabbie Chan and Jennifer Mok
 
September 26 (Wednesday), 7.30pm
Exhibition Gallery, Tsuen Wan Town Hall
Topic: "Tree of Codes" by Wayne McGregor (UK), Jamie xx (UK) and Olafur Eliasson (Iceland/Denmark)
 
October 3 (Wednesday), 7.30pm
Exhibition Gallery, Tsuen Wan Town Hall
Topic: "Dance On" Series – "Untitled III" by Wayson Poon
Guest speaker: Wayson Poon
 
October 25 (Thursday), 7.30pm
AC1, 4/F, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Topic: "Negotiation" by Olé Khamchanla (France/Laos) and Pichet Klunchun (Thailand)
 
November 1 (Thursday), 7.30pm
AC1, 4/F, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Topic: "Swan Lake/Loch na hEala" by Teaċ Da�sa (Ireland)
 
November 8 (Thursday), 7.30pm
AC1, 4/F, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Topic: "When I Grow Up" by Victor Fung
Guest speaker: Victor Fung
 
November 15 (Thursday), 7.30pm
AC1, 4/F, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Topic: Siu Lung Fung Dance Theater
Guest speaker: Cyrus Hui
 
     Vanessa Cheung holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance from Ohio State University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in dance from Texas Woman's University in the US. She was a lecturer of the School of Dance at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Her scope of teaching covered somatics and dance training for both the Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts (Dance) programmes, as well as mentoring Master of Fine Arts (Dance) postgraduate students.
 
     Tickets for "Lecture Series and Workshops on Contemporary Dance" priced at $50 for each session (free seating) are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7323 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/dance/programs_612.html.